Bicycle rim with wear indicator

ABSTRACT

A bicycle rim is provided with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion, an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facing annular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted to receive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled to the outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of the annular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No, 09/526,314,filed on Mar. 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,557.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle rim with a wear indicator.More specifically, the present invention relates to bicycle rim with awear indicator formed as a recess in a braking section of the rim.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation aswell as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has also become avery popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals.Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation orcompetition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the variouscomponents of the bicycle. One particular component of bicycles, whichhas been extensively redesigned over the past years, is the bicyclewheel. Bicycle wheels are constantly being redesigned to be lightweightand more aerodynamic in design as well as to be simple to manufactureand assemble.

There are many different types of bicycle wheels, which are currentlyavailable on the market. The most basic bicycle wheels have a hubportion, a plurality of spokes and an annular rim. The hub portion isattached to a part of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation.The inner ends of the spokes are coupled to the hub and extend outwardlyfrom the hub. The annular rim is coupled to the outer ends of the spokesand has an outer portion for supporting a pneumatic tire thereon.Typically, the spokes of the bicycle wheel are thin metal wire spokes.The ends of the hub are provided with a flange that is used to couplethe spokes to the hub. In particular, holes are provided in the hubflanges. The wire spokes are usually bent on their inner end andprovided with a flange that is formed in the shape of a nail head. Theinner end is supported in one of the holes in one of the hub flanges.The outer ends of the spokes typically are provided with threads forengaging spoke nipples, which secure the outer ends of the wire spokesto the rim. In particular, the spoke nipples have flanges, which engagethe interior surface of the rim. Alternatively, the spokes may bereversed, with the outer end having the nail head and the inner endhaving the threads for engaging spoke nipples, which secure the innerends of the wire spokes to the hub.

With a spoke constructed in this manner, the nipples are installed innipple holes formed in either the rim or the hub. The spokes areinserted through holes in either the hub flange or the rim with theflanges of the spokes engaging the areas surrounding the holes in eitherthe hub flange or the rim. The male threads on the ends of the spokesare threaded into the female threads of the spoke nipples installed inthe openings of the hub flange or the rim. It is desirable in thebicycle industry to have as few spokes as possible. One problem withconventional spokes is the concentrated stress applied to the rim. Iffewer spokes are used, the stress on the rim becomes increasinglylarger. Moreover, after extended use, the rim braking surfaces can weardue to continued contact with brake pads. This wear of the brakingsurfaces can weaken the strength of the rim and, consequently, the rimmay fail. This weakening of the rim can increase risk of personalinjuries to the rider.

In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle rim with a wearindicator which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art.This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as otherneeds, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rim with awear indicator that indicates wear of each side of the bicycle rim.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rim witha wear indicator that prevents excess weakening or failure of the rim.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rim witha wear indicator that prevents personal injuries to the rider.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle rimwith a wear indicator that is relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture.

The foregoing objects can basically be obtained by providing a bicyclerim with a wear indicator. The bicycle rim has an outer annular portion,an annular spoke attachment portion and a pair of oppositely facingannular braking surfaces. The outer annular portion is adapted toreceive a tire and the annular spoke attachment portion is coupled tothe outer annular portion. The annular spoke attachment portion isadapted to be coupled to a plurality of spokes. At least one of theannular braking surfaces has a wear indicator.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a front bicycle wheel with a fronthub, sixteen spokes and a rim with a wear indicator in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial, enlarged elevational view of the front bicycle hubillustrated in FIG. 1 with the inner end portions of the spokes coupledthereto;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, end elevational of a bicycle braking device witha portion of the wheel illustrated in FIG. 1 shown in cross-section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view of a portion of thefront bicycle wheel illustrating the wear indicator of the rimillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the bicycle rim as seenalong section line 5—5 of FIG. 4 illustrating the wear indicator of therim illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of thebicycle rim illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of thebicycle rim illustrated in FIG. 5 showing a predetermined amount ofwear;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial side elevational view of a portion of thefront bicycle wheel illustrating the connection between the rim and twoof the spokes of the bicycle wheel illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the bicycle rim as seenalong section line 9—9 of FIG. 8 with one of the reinforcement membersof the bicycle wheel illustrated in cross-section and one of the spokesillustrated in elevation;

FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the bicycle rim as seenalong section line 10—10 of FIG. 8 with the spokes and reinforcementmember removed for the purposes of illustration;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of thebicycle rim illustrated in FIG. 5 showing other material arranged in therecess; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of thebicycle rim illustrated in FIG. 5 showing a modified recess with curvedcorners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a bicycle wheel 12 is illustrated inaccordance with the present invention. Bicycle wheel 12 can be utilizedas either a front bicycle wheel or a rear bicycle wheel and is mountedbetween a pair of forks 16 of a frame 14 of a bicycle as seen in FIG. 3.Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the description pertaining to the construction ofbicycle wheel 12 applies to either a front bicycle wheel or a rearbicycle wheel.

Bicycle wheel 12 has a central hub or central mounting portion 20, aplurality of outwardly extending spokes 22 and an annular rim portion 24with a pneumatic tire 26 coupled thereto in a conventional manner.Annular rim portion 24 has a pair of wear indicators (recesses 51)formed in rim 24. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, bicyclewheel 12 has sixteen spokes 22 extending radially between central hub 20and annular rim portion 24. Of course, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from this disclosure that the bicycle wheel 12 canhave fewer or more spokes 22 than illustrated if needed and/or desired.

Hub 20 has a tubular body section 30 with a pair of end flanges 32 formounting spokes 22 thereto. Each end flange 32 has four spoke attachmentpoints with holes 34 for coupling a pair of spokes 22 thereto. Tubularbody section 30 has an axial bore that is adapted to receive a hubassembly 28 therein.

The number and shape of the spoke attachment points of end flanges 32will depend upon the number of spokes and their shapes. Accordingly, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure thatother types and shapes of hubs can be utilized in connection with thepresent invention.

Each of the spokes 22 has an outer end portion 40, a center or middleportion 42 and an inner end portion 44. Outer end portions or spokeheads 40 are coupled to rim 24 by reinforcement members or washers 48 asdiscussed below. Reinforcement members or washers 48 are designed todisperse the stresses applied to rim 24 by spokes 22.

Referring to FIGS. 4-11, rim 24 is substantially circular as seen inside elevation (FIG. 1), and has an outer annular portion 50 and anannular spoke attachment portion 52. Rim 24 has a pair of oppositelyfacing, annular external braking surfaces 55 for engaging a pair ofbrake pads 57. Brake pads 57 are pushed against braking surfaces 55 by abrake actuating device 18. Rim 24 has a pair of recesses 51 forindicating wear of rim 24. Specifically, recesses 51 are disposed inopposite sides of rim 24. More specifically, recesses 51 are formed inthe pair of oppositely facing braking surfaces 55 of rim 24.

Braking surfaces 55 are annular, flat external surfaces of rim 24.Braking surfaces 55 are preferably parallel to each other and face inopposite directions. Braking surfaces 55 each have a radial width Bgreater than a radial width of a brake pad 57. Preferably, each brakingsurface 55 has a radial width of about 10.5 millimeters. The pair ofoppositely facing brake pads 57 are forced against braking surfaces 55during a braking operation to apply a stopping force to rim 24.Preferably, brake pads 57 contact braking surfaces 55 at radiallycentered locations on braking surfaces 55. Also, each brake pad 57preferably contacts its respective braking surface 55 at the same radiallocation as the other oppositely facing brake pad 57. After extendeduse, braking surfaces 55 can become worn due the repeated frictionalforces applied by brake pads 57. Recesses 51 are provided to indicatewhen the wear of either braking section 55 has reached an unacceptablelevel.

Brake pads 57 and brake pad actuating device 18 used to stop bicyclewheel 12 are well known in the prior art. Therefore, brake pads 57 andbrake pad actuating device 18 will not be discussed or illustrated indetail herein. In the illustrated embodiment, brake pads 57 and brakeactuating device 14 are “road” type components, and are coupled to forks16 of frame 14. Of course it will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the present invention could be used withany suitable bicycle utilizing other suitable braking devices. Forexample, the present invention could be utilized in rims designed for“mountain” or “off-road” type bicycles.

Each recess 51 is formed of a cylindrical side wall 51 a and a flat endwall 51 b as best seen in FIG. 6. Preferably, cylindrical side walls 51ahave circular shaped cross-sections and are substantially perpendicularto their respective braking surfaces 55. End walls 51 b are offset frombraking surfaces 55 and are preferably substantially parallel to brakingsurfaces 55. Each recess is preferably circumferentially spaced fromaccess apertures 56 and spoke openings 58. Therefore, the presence ofrecesses 51 does not significantly weaken rim 24. Each recess 51 isformed at a radially centered location in the respective brakingsurfaces 55. Therefore, recesses 51 are formed at a corresponding radiallocation on braking surfaces 55 as the contact location between brakepads 57 and braking surfaces 55.

Recesses 51 each have a radial width W and a depth D. Radial widths Ware smaller than the radial width of brake pads 57. Therefore, recesses51 each have a radial width W that is also smaller than the radial widthB of their respective braking surfaces 55. Since recesses 51 havecircular cross-sections, radial width W corresponds to the diameter ofrecesses 51. Brake pads 57 typically have a radial width ofapproximately 7.0 millimeters. The radial width W of each recess 51 isabout 1.0 to 5.0 millimeters. More specifically, each recess 51preferably has a radial width W of about 3.0 millimeters. Moreover, theradial width W of each recess 51 is preferably about one third of theradial width B of its respective braking surface 55. Accordingly, ifbrake pads 57 are not radially centered with respect to braking surfaces55, brake pads 57 will still contact at least portions of recesses 51and wear of braking surfaces 55 can be indicated.

Depth D of each recess 51 corresponds to a predetermined amount of wearof each respective braking surface 55. Specifically, each recess 51 hasa depth D of about 0.10 to about 0.30 millimeter. More specifically,each recess 51 preferably has a depth D of about 0.20 millimeter. Thepredetermined amount of wear of braking surfaces 55 corresponds to anunacceptable amount of wear for rim 24. Unacceptable wear of rim 24 cancause rim 24 to fail and can cause personal injury to a rider. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, if one of braking surfaces 55wears 0.20 millimeter or more, the strength of rim 24 is no longeracceptable for use.

As discussed above, recesses 51 are formed in oppositely facing brakingsurfaces 55. Therefore the wear of each braking surface 55 can beindicated. If either of the recesses 51 disappears, the rim has worn anunacceptable amount. For example, with some braking devices, one brakepad 57 is applied to its respective braking surface 55 with more forcethan the other brake pad 57. Accordingly, braking surfaces 55 of rim 24may not wear at the same rate. Moreover, sometimes rim 24 can beslightly bent or deformed during use causing one braking surface 55 towear more than the other. By providing a pair of wear indicating recess51 in the pair of oppositely facing braking surfaces 55, wear of bothbraking surfaces 55 can be indicated.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, two states of wear of one of the brakingsurfaces 55 are illustrated. Before braking surface 55 is worn, recess51 has a depth D as discussed above and as best seen in FIG. 6. Asbraking surface 55 wears, depth D of recess 51 decreases. Eventually,after a predetermined amount of wear, recess 51 will disappear as seenin FIG. 7. Therefore, when recess 51 disappears, an unacceptable amountof wear of braking surface 55 is indicated. When an unacceptable amountof wear has occurred, the rim 24 needs to be replaced.

Recesses 51 used as wear indicators provide the advantage of providingboth visual and mechanical indication of wear of braking surfaces 55.Specifically, when the rim 24 is not significantly worn, recesses 51 canbe easily seen with the human eye or sidewalls 51 a can be felt with thehuman hand. After significant wear of braking surfaces 55, it may becomemore difficult to see recesses 51. However, side walls 51 a of recesses51 can still be felt by the human hand.

Referring to FIG. 11, optionally, recesses 51 can be filled with othermaterial 59. Other material 59 can be any suitable material that willwear along with braking surfaces 55 such as plastic or soft metal.Preferably, material 59 has a different visual appearance than brakingsurfaces 55. Specifically, material 59 is preferably an opaque materialwith a color that contrasts with the color of braking surfaces 55. Othermaterial 59 arranged in recesses 51 provides a better visual indicatorof wear to the cyclist or mechanic. Of course, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from this disclosure that other material 59could be formed of several layers of different colored materials asneeded and/or desired. For example, other material 59 could be formed ofthree multicolored layers, with each layer having a thicknesscorresponding to a different predetermined amount of wear of rim 24.

Recesses 51 are located at a predetermined circumferential location inbraking surfaces 55 of rim 24. Preferably, recesses 51 are located at acircumferential location approximately six degrees from a seam or weld53 of rim 24. With this arrangement, the cyclist or mechanic will knowwhere to look or feel for recess 51 to check the wear of rim 24.Moreover, because recesses 51 are adjacent seam or weld 53, the strengthof rim 24 is not significantly reduced by the presence of recess 51.

Recesses 51 are preferably formed in braking surfaces 55 by machining.Of course it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that recess 51 could be formed using any suitablemanufacturing technique that provides close tolerances. For example,recesses 51 could be formed by drilling or molding braking surfaces 55of rim 24.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that recesses 51 could have different sizes, shapes and/orconfigurations as needed and/or desired. For example, the depth ofrecesses 51 could be increased if utilized in a wheel with more strengthor decreased in a wheel with less strength. Moreover, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that wear indicators or recesses 51could be utilized with any suitable rim as needed and/or desired. In anycase, if recesses 51 are utilized in other wheel designs, recesses 51should be sized or configured to indicate an unacceptable amount of wearof braking surfaces of the rim of the wheel.

Referring to FIG. 12, a portion of a modified rim 24′ with a recess 51′is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. Rim 24′ isidentical to rim 24 except that recesses 51′ (only one shown) have beenmodified. In particular, the intersection between side wall 51 a and endwall 51 b is curved instead of a sharp corner as in the firstembodiment. Accordingly, rim 24′ will not be discussed or illustrated indetail herein. Specifically, recesses 51′ are formed by “punching”braking surfaces 55′ of rim 24′. The use of this “punching”manufacturing technique results in the curved corners of recesses 51′.Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that recesses 51′ with curved intersections could be formedusing any suitable manufacturing technique. For example, recesses 51′with curved corners could be formed by machining.

The structure of bicycle wheel 12 and its parts will now be discussed inmore detail. First, spokes 22 will be discussed. Straight center portion42 of a spoke 22 is located radially inwardly of outer end portion 40,and inner end portion 44 located radially inwardly of the center portion42. Center portion 42 is coupled to hub 20 in a relatively conventionalmanner. Preferably, outer end portion 40, center portion 42 and innerend portion 44 are constructed as a unitary, one-piece member with spokenipples 46 theadedly coupled to the inner end portion 44 of each of thespokes 22 for connection to hub 20 as best seen in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9, outer end portions 40 of spokes 22have a bent section 40 a with an enlarged head 40 b at the free end ofbent section 40 a. Heads 40 b are offset from bent sections 40 a. Thehead 40 b has a larger width or diameter than bent section 40 a tosecure spoke 22 to rim 24 via reinforcement member or washer 48. Centerportions 42 and inner end portions 44 each have a circular or ellipticalcross section. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that constant cross section spokes can be utilized or spokes with avarying cross section can be utilized as needed and/or desired.Moreover, spokes with other cross-sections could be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Of course, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that outer end portions 40 can be bent or formed to havea different shape and/or cross section than the illustrated shapes andcross sections. In any event, the shapes and cross sections of bentsection 40 a and head 40 b of each spoke should be configured to preventaxial movement of the spoke relative to rim 24 when the spoke is in theinstalled position.

The structure of rim 24 will now be discussed in more detail. Referringto FIGS. 3-5 and 8-10, the rim 24 is a so-called deep rim in which therim's radial height is greater than the rim's axial width. Rim 24 isdesigned to have a “clincher” type pneumatic tire 26 fastened thereto ina conventional manner. It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat the shape of rim 24 could be modified to accommodate differenttypes of tires as needed and/or desired without departing from the scopeof the present invention. For example, rim 24 could be modified toaccommodate “tubular” or “sew-up” type tires which are adapted to becemented to an outer surface of a rim.

Preferably, outer annular portion 50 of rim 24 has a substantially“U-shaped” cross-section adapted to receive a “clincher” type pneumatictire 26. Outer annular portion 50 of rim 24 has a plurality of accessapertures 56 for inserting spokes 22 therethrough and into a pluralityof spoke openings 58 of annular spoke attachment portion 52. Annularspoke attachment portion 52 also has a substantially “U-shaped”cross-section and is fixedly coupled to outer annular portion 50.

Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that rim 24 could have other configurations as needed and/ordesired without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample rim 24 could be conventional and have a substantially “U-shaped”cross-section. In such a rim, the pair of outer flanges form the outerannular portion for receiving a tire and the tubular inner portion formsthe spoke attachment portion. Rim 24 could also be designed for use with“tubular”, or “sew-up” type tires as discussed above. In such a rim, theouter annular portion is a curved tubular section and the spokeattachment portion is a substantially “U-shaped” section with spokescoupled thereto. In any case, rim 24 preferably has an outer annularportion for receiving a tire 26 and a spoke attachment portion coupledto a plurality of spokes.

Rim 24 is constructed of a substantially rigid material, such as thosematerials, which are well known in the art. For example, rims 24 can beconstructed of any suitable metallic material, such as plated steel,stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium or titanium, as well as othernon-metallic materials, such as a carbon fiber composite, which can beutilized for a bicycle wheel.

Annular spoke attachment portion 52 is located radially inward of outerannular portion 50, as seen in FIGS. 4-5 and 8-10. Rim 24 is a tubularmember with a hollow, annular inner area. Spoke openings 58 arecircumferentially spaced and formed in a pair of opposing side sections54 of spoke attachment portion 52. Spoke openings 58 are sized forreceiving spokes 22 with reinforcement members or washers 48 therein.Reinforcement members or washers 48 are designed to disperse thestresses applied to rim 24 by spokes 22.

The plurality of spoke openings 58 are preferably circular openings thatare larger than the outer end portions 40 of the spokes 22 arrangedtherein. Spoke openings 58 are larger than conventional spoke openings.Therefore, reinforcement members or washers 48 distribute the forces onrim 24 over a greater area than ordinary round spokes such that stressfracturing and/or tearing of rim 24 is minimized. Preferably, openings58 have circumferential widths or diameters of at least approximately5.0 millimeters.

Each spoke opening 58 is located adjacent one of the access apertures 56so that a spoke 22 with a reinforcement member 48 can be insertedthrough access aperture 56 and into spoke opening 58 as best seen inFIGS. 8-10. Access apertures 56 are preferably circular openings with awidth or diameter of approximately 9.0 millimeters or larger. In anyevent, the width or diameter of access apertures 56 should be at leastthe width or diameter of reinforcement members 48, e.g., at leastapproximately 8.0 millimeters.

Spoke attachment portion 52 is provided with a pair of reinforcingelements 60 located radially outwardly of the spoke openings 58.Reinforcing elements 60 are a pair of continuous ribs that are locatedon the interior surfaces of opposing sections 54. The tension in spokes22 applies an outwardly directed force on the opposing sections 54 justradially outwardly of the spoke openings 58 and reinforcing elements 60are located to strengthen the sides of rim 24.

As best seen in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, outer annular portion 50 basicallyhas a pair of outer circumferential flange sections 62 for retainingtire 26 and a connecting section 64. Connecting section 64 has accessapertures 56 formed therein. Spoke attachment portion 52 basicallyincludes opposing sections 54 coupled together at radially inner ends bya radially inner section 66. Opposing sections 54 each have acircumferential ring 68 with the spoke attachment openings 58 formedtherein. Each circumferential ring 68 has an increased wall thickness.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, reinforcement members or washers 48 will now bediscussed in more detail. Reinforcement members or washers 48 aredesigned to disperse the stresses applied to rim 24 by spokes 22.Reinforcement members or washers 48 are preferably disk shaped memberswith each reinforcement member or washer 48 having a first (smaller)circular stepped portion 80, a second (larger) circular stepped portion82 and a centrally located spoke hole 84. Preferably, reinforcementmembers or washers 48 are constructed as one-piece, unitary members.

An example of one suitable material for reinforcement members or washers48 is aluminum alloy. Of course, other materials can be used. It will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure thatreinforcement members or washers 48 do not have to be stepped asillustrated.

The diameters or widths of stepped portions 80 and 82 should be as largeas reasonably possible to disperse the stresses on rim 24 from spokes22. In other words, it is better for the diameters or widths of steppedportions 80 and 82 to be as large as reasonably possible. First circularstepped portion 80 of each of the reinforcement members or washers 48can be frictionally retained within one of the spoke openings 58 of rim24. Since spokes 22 are placed under tension between hub 20 and rim 24,spokes 22 apply an inward radial force at circumferentially spacedlocations that correspond to spoke openings 58. Accordingly, thestrength of rim 24 is increased without adding thickness of rim 24.

Spoke holes 84 of reinforcement washers 48 are designed so that spokes22 can freely pass therethrough. The center portions 42 of spokes 22 areelliptical in cross-section. Accordingly, spoke holes 84 havelongitudinally extending slots 86 that increase the effective diameteror width of spoke holes 84 to allow the center portions 42 of spokes 22to pass therethrough. A slanted cutout or notch 88 is formed on theaxial face of first step portion 80. This notch 88 accommodates the bentsection 40 a of the outer end portion of spoke 22.

In assembling bicycle wheel 12, reinforcement members 48 are firstplaced on the outer end portions 40 of spokes 22. Inner end portions 44of spokes 22 are first inserted into spoke holes 84 of reinforcementmembers or washers 48. Once the center portions 42 of spokes 22 havepassed through spoke holes 84 of reinforcement members or washers 48,the spokes 22 can be further rotated within spoke holes 84 such that thebent section 40 a of the spokes 22 are seated in notches 88. The heads40 b of spokes 22 now engage the axial surface of second step portion 82of reinforcement members or washers 48.

Now, the spokes 22 with reinforcement members or washers 48 thereon canbe installed into rim 24. The spokes 22 with reinforcement members orwashers 48 are inserted through the access apertures 56 in the outersurface of rim 24 at an angle such that the inner end portions 44 ofspokes 22 pass through spoke openings 58. Once the spokes 22 and washers48 have fully entered the interior of rim 24, the first stepped portions80 of reinforcement washers 48 are seated in the spoke openings 58 ofrim 24. Preferably, spoke openings 58 are slightly larger than thediameter or width of stepped portion 80 such that washers 48 are eitherloosely received within openings 58 or securely received viainterference fit.

Now, the inner end portions 44 of spokes 22 are inserted into openings34 of hub 20. Spoke nipples or nuts 46 are also inserted into openings34 and threaded onto the inner end portions 44 of spokes 22. The tensionin spokes 22 is then adjusted such that rim 24 is properly positionedabout hub 20. The wheel 12 can now be installed on a frame of a bicyclein a conventional manner via hub 20.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed. These termsshould be construed as including a deviation of ±25% of the modifiedterm if this would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

While only one embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the presentinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of theembodiment according to the present invention is provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle rim with a wear indicator, comprising:an outer annular portion adapted to receive a tire; and an annular spokeattachment portion coupled to said outer annular portion and adapted tobe coupled to a plurality of spokes, said rim having a pair ofoppositely facing subsantially smooth annular braking surfaces and aconnecting section extending between said pair of oppositely facingbraking surfaces to reinforce said rim, at least one of saidsubstantially smooth annular braking surfaces having a wear indicatorbeing located to overlap one end of said connecting section in a radialdirection.
 2. The bicycle rim according to claim 1, wherein said wearindicator is a recess formed in said at least one braking surface. 3.The bicycle rim according to claim 2, wherein said recess is formed of acylindrical side wall and an end wall.
 4. The bicycle rim according toclaim 2, wherein said recess has a radial width smaller than a radialwidth of said at least one annular braking surface.
 5. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 4, wherein said radial width of said recess is about1.0 to about 5.0 millimeters.
 6. The bicycle rim according to claim 5,wherein said radial width of said recess is about 3.0 millimeters. 7.The bicycle rim according to claim 2, wherein said recess has a depthcorresponding to a predetermined amount of wear of said at least oneannular braking surface.
 8. The bicycle rim according to claim 7,wherein said depth of said recess is about 0.10 to about 0.30millimeter.
 9. The bicycle rim according to claim 8, wherein said depthof said recess is about 0.20 millimeter.
 10. The bicycle rim accordingto claim 2, wherein said recess is formed of a side wall substantiallyperpendicular to said at least one annular braking surface and an endwall offset from said at least one annular braking surface.
 11. Thebicycle rim according to claim 2, wherein said at least one annularbraking surface having an inner edge and an outer edge with said recessformed at a radially centered position in said at least one annularbraking surface relative to said inner and outer edges of said at leastone annular braking surface.
 12. The bicycle rim according to claim 1,wherein each of said annular braking surfaces has a single wearindicator extending circumferentially along only a portion of saidannular braking surface. annular breaking surfaces.
 13. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 12, wherein each of said wear indicators is a recessformed in each of said annular braking surfaces.
 14. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said recesses is formed of acylindrical side wall and an end wall.
 15. The bicycle rim according toclaim 13, wherein each of said recesses has a radial width smaller thana radial width of each of said annular braking surfaces.
 16. The bicyclerim according to claim 15, wherein each of said recesses has a radialwidth of about 1.0 to about 5.0 millimeters.
 17. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 16, wherein each of said recesses has a radial widthof about 3.0 millimeters.
 18. The bicycle rim according to claim 13,wherein each of said recesses has a depth corresponding to apredetermined amount of wear of each of said annular braking surfaces.19. The bicycle rim according to claim 18, wherein each of said recesseshas a depth of about 0.10 to about 0.30 millimeter.
 20. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 19, wherein each of said recesses has a depth ofabout 0.20 millimeter.
 21. The bicycle rim according to claim 13,wherein each of said recesses is formed of a side wall substantiallyperpendicular to each of said annular braking surfaces and an end walloffset from each of said annular braking surfaces.
 22. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said annular braking surfaceshaving an inner edge and an outer edge with each of said recesses formedat a radially centered position in each of said annular braking surfacesrelative to said inner and outer edges of each of said annular breakingsurfaces.
 23. The bicycle rim according to claim 12, wherein each ofsaid annular braking surfaces having an inner edge and an outer edgewith each of said recesses formed at a radially centered position ineach of said annular braking surfaces relative to said inner and outeredges of each of said annular breaking surfaces.
 24. The bicycle rimaccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of inwardlyextending spokes, each spoke having an inner end and an outer endcoupled to said spoke attachment portion.
 25. The bicycle rim accordingto claim 24, further comprising a hub coupled to said inner ends of saidinwardly extending spokes.
 26. The bicycle rim according to claim 1,wherein said at least one annular braking surface having an inner edgeand an outer edge with said wear indicator arranged at a radiallycentered position of said at least one annular braking surface relativeto said inner and outer edges of said at least one annular brakingsurface.
 27. The bicycle rim according to claim 2, wherein said recesshas material arranged therein.
 28. The bicycle rim according to claim 2,wherein said recess has a side wall and an end wall, with a curvedintersection therebetween.
 29. The bicycle rim according to claim 12,wherein said wear indicators are circumferentially aligned with eachother.